I recently read Daphne du Maurier and Her Sisters: The Hidden Lives of Piffy, Bird and Bing by Jane Dunn, and though plenty of the details of the sisters’ lives were fascinating, what struck me was that almost every page mentioned a residence of some kind–townhome, cottage, mansion, castle, farmhouse, villa–and each of these had a name. These homes were scattered over England, Scotland, Canada, the northeastern U.S., France, and Italy and became, for me, characters in the du Mauriers’s lives as significant as their families, lovers, and friends. In fact, the brooding, decaying Menabilly, perhaps the greatest love of Daphne’s life, was the model for Manderly in her novel Rebecca.
Each night as I powered down the Nook after reading a while, I’d lie awake waiting for the name of our new home to come to me, considering and rejecting so many possibilities. The only thing I knew is that when Debby retires and moves here, her home on the property is to be the Fairy Cottage. And Tim’s temporary name for his apartment is The Storage Unit (he hasn’t unpacked because there are renovations in the near future, so he may as well wait and endure living out of boxes. Lots of boxes.).
I was in that dreamlike state just before sleep finally takes over one night when I heard the name in my head. I became wide awake for a while, trying to think of any reason I didn’t like it. When I woke up the next morning, it was still there. It’s one of my favorite tweed patterns. It references our love of dogs. It pays tribute to Coach Bear Bryant and the University of Alabama, alma mater of my father, Tom, me, and several of Tom’s siblings.
I introduce you to our new property, Houndstooth Hall. Tom and I live in Houndstooth House proper. I’ve already created the new guestbook (it’s a good thing we sold The Compound, as that guestbook was almost full!), though our first guests have to sign their guest cards still (I was an absent-minded hostess and forgot to print them while they were here).
My little hound helper in the photos is actually a pen that was in my birthday presents Geri sent me. Meanwhile, for those family members and friends who support Alabama’s arch rival and are shaking their heads about the houndstooth, I’ll share a photo of a new family member with you. Daniel’s mother Terri adopted him from a shelter and named him BoCam after two of Auburn University’s legendary football players. We love you BoCam, and you are welcome at Houndstooth any time!
Okay, I was hoping “The Best Little Dog House in Texas!” But Houndtooth Hall has a great ring and dare I say … it is also very Victoria Holtish as well !
Thanks! Houndstooth–don’t lose the S!
got it!
Only one person gets to lose her S around here…
Can’t wait until Fairy Cottage is all mine!!!!!
Won’t be long!
Great name! I might have to call it The Hall, because it has less syllables. 🙂
BoCam is one cute dog!
Thanks! Only if I can go back to calling Izzy “Bella.” (After more than a year of naming dogs, I can tell you that Bella is one of the most used. You were right to shorten to Izzy.)
Doesn’t BoCam look like a purebred Scottie? Proof that people can find and rescue breeds.
Houndstooth Hall … a truly fitting name for the new domicile. And Mlle Renee agrees.
I think I need to send Renee a houndstooth pillow in honor of the occasion! =)
Perfect! Congratulations on the inspiration. 🙂
Thank you!
To quote a teacher from an American Middle School, “Meanwhile, back at the ranch…” 🙂
I was thinking back over all the places I’ve lived (read: slept) in. Nearly all of them had names: hotels, apartments, base housing, but my parents’ houses never had names. I might add the house naming thing and guest book idea to the Saturday Snoopy Family Tradition list for my future abodes, if I ever come across another locale without a name.
I am obsessed with naming things. This is probably why I volunteered to do that job for RPM. I don’t know how many dogs I’ve named of the more than 6000 dogs and cats who’ve been saved. A LOT.
I’m picturing a “Downton Abby” opening credits scene now, only with lots of dogs being pampered and little doggy collars jingling instead of servant bells, and…
I love it.
“Last night I dreamed of Houndstooth Hall, and my legs kicked and kicked until my human rubbed my tummy…”
It’s like you have cameras hidden here. You bribed The Ninja Brides, didn’t you?
Wait. In addition to the main house, there are homes for Timothy and Debby too? How big is this place?!
I love the idea of a guestbook.
We should think of a name for our house. We will will have been there a year this Saturday.
Then that is the PERFECT way to celebrate. I love your home, and it needs a name for sure.
Wait: ONE year? You have done so much there in that year! It’s amazing. The work and the results.
Nearly fifteen months now. And there’s still so much to do.
I love the name of your home. Ditto the idea of making a guest book.
Since we’ve just moved, would you mind if I copied your idea? A handmade guest book is so much nicer than the store bought one I had used in the old place. (And since we were there for just over nine years – it was full and I’d been stuffing index cards in the back of it that folks had signed!)
Thank you! And of course I don’t mind. The best thing about the old guest book is how MANY arguments it settled through the years of who came to visit us when. Memories are a tricky thing. And it was easier to consult than lugging out the bigger photo albums which I have failed miserably to keep current since the advent of digital photos. (Shame on me!)